Bruce LaFleur on Grammarly Answershttp://www.grammarly.com/answers/users/297785/bruce-lafleur2015-08-02T17:28:49ZWas vs werehttp://www.grammarly.com/answers/questions/48569-was-vs-were/
<p>I need to know the grammar term for the situation in which you use the plural form of "was" when speaking about a singular noun but in either a conditional case or state something about the subject that is false, e.g.</p><p></p><p>John WAS absent </p><p>If John WERE here . . . </p><p></p><p>I know there is a name for this but i have forgotten what it is. Something like conditional case. Anybody know?</p>
<p><small>asked <a href="/answers/questions/48569-was-vs-were/">Mar 06 &#39;14 at 23:33</a> by <a href="/answers/users/297785/bruce-lafleur" class="profile">Bruce LaFleur</a>, New member</small></p>
<h3>1 answer</h3>
<p>
You&#39;re thinking of the subjunctive mood.&nbsp; A search will turn up reams of information.</p>
<p><small>answered <a href="/answers/questions/48569-was-vs-were/#answer_35091">Mar 07 &#39;14 at 01:43</a> by <a href="/answers/users/132282/lewis-neidhardt" class="profile">Lewis Neidhardt</a>, Grammarly Fellow</small></p>